Rainmakers

I am travelling to Dallas TX next week for the annual Garden Writers Symposium. Part of the weekend includes a tour of the Dallas Arboretum and social media "rainmaking" frenzy. Attendees will be encouraged to utilize whatever form of social media (twitter, facebook, blogs, etc.) to fill the Internet with gardening information to their readers while at the Arboretum!

So, all you reliable readers, join me as I will be on FB and this website sharing all the fun things during my stay in Dallas. All I ask is that you say a prayer for me on Friday the 10th and Tuesday the 14th as those are flying days! I do not like to fly!

I'll tap more about the rainmaking later, but share this info with your friends, we are going to clutter the net with gardens!

Blessings from the Garden!

ML

ps. friend request: mary louise hagler and/or mlchgarden on facebook!

Under Pressure

I work best under pressure...feeling a twinge of pressure from my growing list for September. My index card "lists" have become a source of entertainment for my children.

Here is today's Garden Index card:

• FlowerCamp-order aprons, need good clippers, confirm menu w/caterer


• Finish entering email addresses (ugh) for monthly newsletter (Constant Contact) to start in September


• Book flight to Dallas for September 10-14 before the prices get too highDONE!


• Share September To Do's on newsletter and walk the talk


• Figure out how to make this year's pumpkins a learning experience for children


• Write a week's worth of blog posts so when I am doing all of the above, I won't worry!

I'll stop here before I get too overwhelmed. Add that to the day to day list...Pressure!

Blessings from the Garden

ML

LIGHTS

OK. Rarely do I verbalize my frustrations on this blog, but my walk with Gizmo tonite has thrown

me over the edge...Full moon, I suppose!

Ambient lighting or outdoor lighting can be a beautiful addition to your landscape. However, I just counted 45 lights in a front yard. We don't live in a neighborhood filled with mansions or one acre plus lots, so our front yards are a good size, but not HUGE!

Highlighting attractive areas, trees and beautiful front doors is one thing, but up-lights on ugly old dogwoods, your brick house, and butchered crepe myrtles is OUTRAGEOUS!

In addition, and most importantly, fireflies or "lightning bugs", prefer to have the lights out when they pro-create! Me, too, for that matter. I've had to install "blackout" curtains over my expensive window blinds to have peaceful sleep at night---when it's supposed to be dark.

No pics today, evidence could be used against me!

What do you think? Anyone else suffering like me?

It's probably PMS and Full Moon Combo.

Thanks for listening & let me hear from you.

Blessings from the Garden.

ML

Question

I entertain gardening questions almost daily & decided to post this one for readers.

From L.B., a friend on Facebook:

When is the best time to plant hydrangeas and how do you prepare the soil?

Great question especially as we anticipate cooler weather. I would plan to plant in

October, about the same time we plant pansies in Augusta. We should have cooler

weather and less stress on both plants & gardeners!

The fall is also the BEST time to prepare your soil, both for fall planting and spring

blooms! If you are really interested in the "make-up" of your soil, do a soil sample.

You can get bags from your county Extension office or most of the local garden centers.

You'll receive a detailed report on what's in the soil and what's missing!

You may want to amend the area you intend to fill with hydrangeas with compost and/or

aged manure. If you are planting a blue hydrangea & you want it to be more blue or pink, the CSRA Hydrangea Society gives a clear description!

Be sure to consider where you are going to plant your hydrangeas. For years, I planted mophead blue hydrangeas in the full shade, and never a bloom- always died. Now, much wiser,

I plant them in most sun. Read up on your variety though as to how much sun it prefers!

Please post pics !!

Blessings from the Garden.

ML

find me on Facebook: mlchgarden